Marek Jodkowski

Background to the Election of Leon Redner as Bishop of Chelmno Diocese in 1886

Introduction

Background to the election of leon redner as bishop of chelmno diocese in 1886. Uncover the intricate 1886 election of Leon Redner as Chełmno Diocese Bishop, navigating conflicts between the Prussian state (post-Kulturkampf), Polish community, and the Holy See.

Abstract

In 1886, after the death of Bishop Jan Nepomucen Marwicz of Chełmno Diocese, the Chełmno Cathedral Chapter initially refrained from electing a diocesan administrator because of the need for him to take an oath of loyalty and obedience to the Prussian king and state law, which was the aftermath of the kulturkampf. After the relaxation of state legislation, Canon Leon Redner was elected administrator. From the outset, the state authorities rejected candidates for the episcopal see in Pelplin associated with the Polish community, above all the canons of the chapter who represented the so-called Polish faction. From the list of candidates initially prepared by the chapter, the only person acceptable to the state authorities turned out to be the provost Gustav Wanjura. However, the selection by the chapter could not be made on the basis of a single candidate. In addition, the favourite of the state authorities was rejected by the Holy See. In order not to prolong the vacancy on the episcopal capital, Leo XIII forced the chapter to suspend its right to elect a bishop. Direct negotiationsbetween the Holy See and the Prussian government led to the nomination of CanonLeon Redner as Bishop of Chełmno Diocese. The papal breve was promulgated on 16 November 1886. He was ordained bishop on 9 January 1887 in Pelplin Cathedral by the Archbishop of Gniezno and Poznań, Juliusz Dinder.

Review

The paper "Background to the Election of Leon Redner as Bishop of Chelmno Diocese in 1886" provides a focused historical account of a complex ecclesiastical appointment within a politically charged era. It meticulously details the circumstances surrounding the selection of Bishop Leon Redner for the Chełmno Diocese following the death of Bishop Jan Nepomucen Marwicz. The core of the study is set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Kulturkampf, highlighting the enduring tensions between the Prussian state and the Catholic Church, particularly concerning the allegiance of church officials and the influence of the local Polish community. The abstract reveals a fascinating interplay of forces, where the Chełmno Cathedral Chapter initially hesitated to elect a diocesan administrator due to mandatory oaths of loyalty to the Prussian king and state law, a direct consequence of the Kulturkampf's legislative impact. Even after this initial hurdle was overcome with the election of Canon Leon Redner as administrator, the process of appointing a bishop became deeply politicized. Prussian authorities actively rejected candidates associated with the local "Polish faction," while the Holy See, in turn, rejected the state's preferred candidate, Gustav Wanjura. This intricate deadlock ultimately led to Pope Leo XIII's significant intervention, forcing the suspension of the chapter's traditional electoral rights and paving the way for direct negotiations between the Vatican and the Prussian government, culminating in Redner's nomination. This study offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of church-state relations in 19th-century Prussian-held territories, particularly regarding the control over ecclesiastical appointments. By detailing the specific obstacles, rejections, and compromises that led to Redner's bishopric, the paper contributes significantly to our understanding of how high-level political and religious negotiations impacted local diocesan governance during a period of intense cultural and nationalistic pressure. The careful chronology of events, from the initial vacancy to the eventual ordination, underscores the extraordinary measures taken by both civil and ecclesiastical powers to assert their authority, making this a compelling case study for scholars of ecclesiastical history, German-Polish relations, and the legacy of the Kulturkampf.

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